The South Sudanese government and rebels signed a cease-fire deal on Thursday after more than a month of fighting , according to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development , an East African trade bloc that has been helping to mediate between the parties .

The government and the rebels reached the agreement in Ethiopia 's capital , Addis Ababa .

It calls for an immediate end to all military operations and a freeze of forces at the `` place they are in . ''

The parties also agreed not to attack civilians and to refrain from rape , sexual abuse and torture . Supply routes for humanitarian aid are to be opened to reach displaced populations .

The agreement also sets up an unarmed group of monitors that includes members from surrounding East African nations and representatives from both the rebels and the government .

Their job will be to ensure that the cease-fire agreement is effective .

According to the official document , the cease-fire begins Friday , 24 hours after its signing .

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed hope that a peace deal will `` provide good opportunities for South Sudanese , and the people around this country who have been suffering . ''

Support for peace talks also came from U.S. President Barack Obama who called on both parties to adhere to a separate detainee agreement , which was also signed as part of the cease-fire deal .

`` The full participation of political detainees currently being held by the Government of South Sudan will be critical to those discussions , and we will continue to work to expedite their release , '' the White House statement said .

South Sudan erupted in violence on December 15 when rebels loyal to ousted Vice President Riek Machar tried to stage a coup . Violence quickly spread , with reports of mass killings emerging nationwide .

Some of the heaviest fighting was over control of Bor , the strategically located capital of Jonglei state . It was recaptured by government forces last week . The mayor said between 1,200 and 1,400 civilians were killed when rebels held Bor between December 17 and 24 .

In a statement , the trade bloc said the cease-fire is an important milestone , but more shuttle diplomacy is needed before the next phase of peace talks can begin .

South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 after decades of war , making it the world 's youngest nation .

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South Sudan 's government and rebels agree on a cease-fire brokered by East African mediation group

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Fighting broke out December 15 after rebels tried to stage a coup

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Cease-fire calls for an end to all military operations and the protection of civilians

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Unarmed group of monitors will be set up to ensure the agreement sticks